Position Overview:
The assistant athletic trainer is responsible for assisting the head athletic trainer in the day-to-day operations of the athletic training room and sports medicine area, including but not limited to the prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and/or illnesses for the student-athletes participating as a member of intercollegiate programs. This full-time position reports directly to the head athletic trainer and will work in accordance with NCAA Division I, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Hockey East Association, and any additional athletic conference affiliation as well as Merrimack College rules, regulations and policies.
Position Responsibilities:
- Work with designated teams and student-athletes to provide onsite care and management of injuries and illnesses including: clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment, rehabilitation, and health and well-being support to student-athletes.
- Assess risk of injury, perform ergonomic evaluation and coaching, self-care implementation, and overall wellness promotion.
- Think critically and make independent decisions regarding the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and return to play decisions per state licensure guidelines.
- Maintain written/electronic documentation of all athletic injuries/conditions, treatment, rehabilitation and progress notes, including physician referrals and completion of insurance claims.
- Communicate with physicians and coaches regarding student-athlete injuries and healthcare.
- Carry out medical care for assigned student-athletes per the sports medicine standard operating procedures
- Work cooperatively and communicate with the strength and conditioning staff regarding injuries and rehabilitation, treatment plans and programming for specific individuals.
- Minimize risk of injury through awareness, education and prevention strategies.
- Represent Merrimack Athletics with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
- Provide leadership and mentorship to the graduate fellows and student interns.
- Teach skills and competencies to students in the graduate Athletic Training Education Program; serve as a preceptor
- Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as trust and mutual respect.
- Foster and maintain a culture that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rules compliance, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Northeast Conference (NEC) and Hockey East rules and protocols, and institutional policies
- Participate in departmental activities including staff meetings, compliance education, diversity, equity and inclusion training, guest speaker presentations and other events/meetings.
- Adhere to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Code of Ethics.
- Fulfill other specific areas of responsibility related to the athletic training program as assigned.
Educational Training:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
- BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
- Massachusetts State License – Athletic Training (Active or willingness to obtain)
- Knowledge of NCAA rules and intercollegiate athletics
- Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion best practices, especially in higher education
- Commitment to supporting the academic success and overall well-being of student-athletes
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Applied Knowledge: Athletic trainers must have knowledge of a large range of medical problems. Assessment, evaluation skills and working with other healthcare professionals will be required.
- Decision-Making Skills: Ability to think critically and make independent decisions regarding the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and return to play decisions per state licensure guidelines.
- Attention to Detail: Athletic trainers should be thorough and detailed with injury tracking and documentation.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in high stress/pressure situations when talking to patients, medical professionals, staff and families.
- Organizational Skills: Must have the ability to organize, prioritize and perform multiple tasks with little or no supervision.
- Ability to travel with athletic teams to away contests as necessary
- Ability to work during the day as well as non-traditional hours in the evening, on weekends and on holidays, as necessary
Experience:
- Athletic training experience in a collegiate setting is preferred
- Experience working with high impact and non-impact sports is preferred
License Requirements:
- BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
- Massachusetts State License – Athletic Training
Application Materials Should Include:
- Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.
- Resume
- Contact information for three professional references
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Vaccinations and Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 43 states and 42 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.